Final Instructions for the Sidecar Weekend...

[Helen Gibson]

The Sidecar Newcomers weekend is on us again. This is the programme for the weekend. (If you are booked, this will be sent to you by email later this morning)

Friday. You will all be arriving, and either being picked up, or catching the bus, or driving to your home for the next 2 nights. Some of you will be going for laps and most will probably pop out for a pint.

PLEASE… if you’re doing laps, remember the roads are open, and it is not TT time. Local people do not expect to find a strange car, on two wheels coming the opposite way on the wrong side of the road. I hate visiting people in Nobles and even worse is prison visiting…don’t do it!

OK.. now the BIG plea. This weekend is NOT a freebie holiday and I am sure you don’t think it is… however, many people resent the fact that you have come here (jealous of your talent!) and that the Government is paying some of your costs. Occasionally a participant has too much to drink or behaves in some unsociable way… believe me, you will immediately be identified as “sidecar” and I will hear and so will half the Island. This will be held against us later. Please, please, please, enjoy yourselves without making a fool of yourself and the sidecar family. We have a very poor reputation for bad behaviour at TT time, and it does us no favours. Individually, if you are seen as a drunk or a trouble-maker, it may affect your chance of an entry.. so have fun, but show how sidecar people can do that responsibly…lecture over!

Saturday: 10am start at the Press Centre, where you will be paired up with mentors and drivers who will do some laps with you. There are hire cars, driven by “civilian” drivers, who will concentrate on getting you round safely, while you and the mentors discuss racing lines etc. Take advantage of this, the main function of the weekend. Driving round by yourself you will learn little, and may reinforce mistaken ideas.

Everyone gathers back at the Press centre for lunch and you will have a short talk from the Chief Technical Officer, Willie Clucas, and also from Keith Mackay, marshal, MGP rider and occasional sidecar passenger. Pete Alton will give you an update on some road improvements since last TT (this will be the first he’s heard of that bit!).There will be time for questions, and then it’s off out again for more laps.

In the evening, you are invited to meet up at the Manor, (near the Grandstand) where a lot of local racing people join us for a social evening. The Manor supports sidecar racing and in addition to an enjoyable night, there is often a lot of information sharing. Enjoy!

Sunday morning, the cars will again be available, and we meet up at the Press Office again at 10. Laps, more laps, an informal meeting up at the Ginger Hall for lunch if you choose to, and then most of you will be heading for boats or planes.

If there’s anything you need, please let me know.. text is best once the weekend is under way 07624-243276, but email before that helenbmerry@manx.net

Looking forward to seeing you all

Helen

PS In case you don’t know… using your mobile here can be VERY expensive as your UK provider considers this “abroad”. Your phone may also be locked against roaming.. check before you come as we do not have any of the UK providers here. Only Manx Telecom and Sure.

[tufty113]

Hi all.yes Its well worth getting yourself a manx sim and using a unlocked phone. That way when ever you come to the iom you will have your own number and a very cheap way to get ahold of others both in the uk and in the iom. It saves a real fortune. Ta Dixie.

[lovingit]

Make sure you use it to send the odd text from it every now and again though else youll lose number . Think its 6 months without use but may be wrong . They sell loads of sim cards to tt visitors every year , then just recycle the numbers for next year

[rugbyfan]

Sure SIM cards don't suffer the lack of use problem I am led to believe.
But I've been led to drink!
I'm sure that Jo could confirm.

[ChrisWells]

Sure SIM cards don't suffer the lack of use problem I am led to believe.

I'll let you know in May

[InkyAnn]

I think the Sure mobile SIMS need credit / topping up ever few months to keep them current, so I have a diary note to top mine up by £5 or £10 every few months. That way whenever I visit I always have a nice stash of credit on the phone too